Qualcomm readying 4G LTE chips for next iPhone

Several chip makers have already begun stockpiling parts for the production of Apple's next-gen iPhone, which is expected to arrive this fall along with iOS 6. According to DigiTimes, Qualcomm is set to produce the new iPhone's 4G LTE chips on the 28-nanometer process at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

Qualcomm's 4G LTE chips for the iPhone will reportedly represent one-third of TSMC's 28-nm manufacturing capacity. And, Qualcomm isn't the only components supplier expecting to use TSMC for fabrication. Broadcom plans to produce its WiFi chips for the iPhone at TSMC, while OmniVision, which has supplied the iPhone's camera components, is also seeking TSMC for production.

TSMC is expected to have a difficult time meeting market demand for the 28-nm process until it reaches a capacity of 50,000 units per month in the fourth quarter this year. NVIDIA, Texas Instruments, Altera, and Xilinx are among TSMC's customers also seeking its 28-nm process.

STMicroelectronics, NXP Semiconductors, and Texas Instruments are also reportedly stockpiling inventory to meet Apple's demand for the next-gen iPhone. Other companies selected to supply important radio chips to Apple, include Skyworks, Avago Technologies, and TriQuint.